The Leap Year Gene of Kit McKinley

“A capriciously imagined historical epic that captures the essence of a century through the remarkable life of Kit McKinley. A skilled researcher, Wood deftly weaves genetic discovery and society's fascination with eugenics into a highly unique, engrossing tale of love and family.” —Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author of The Painted Girls

"Shelley Wood offers a deeply heartfelt account of the McKinley family's complex relationship with time and societal change. With an intriguing blend of scientific insight and emotional resonance, Wood's novel is a poignant portrayal of kinship and the perennial search for meaning and belonging." —Ellen Keith, author of #1 international bestseller The Dutch Wife

“An astonishingly beautiful, wonderfully unique, completely seductive novel about a woman who ages one year for every four. It is also a sweeping and memorable portrait of the twentieth century: eugenics, genetics, World Wars, feminism, politics, world travel, and much more. Most of all, it is a novel about love and devotion—among families, friends, and lovers—against the backdrop of a persistent violence against people who are judged to be born different. I could not put this novel down.” —Lawrence Hill, author of Someone Knows My Name

"The Leap Year Gene of Kit McKinley is a marvel. Spanning decades and continents, it shines new light on the essential bond of human empathy, exposing the burdens and immeasurable blessings of love. A fresh and unforgettable novel about what we can’t help but lose in this life—and what lives on." —Alissa York, author of Far Cry